Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 23198, Nathaniel Doolittle, New York

SERVICE
New York
Doolittle Nathaniel
NUMBER
S 23198
CONTENTS

4.650
New York
With amiel Doolittle of Timpson Co in the State of New York who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Davis of the Regt - commanded by Col Whiting in the N.Y. West line for Pms s
Subscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 20 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of July 1834 and sent to John M. Halsey H Rep.
Transferred to the list of Sept 1833. $ 16.11 Pensional allowance ending March 14, 13.33
$ 79.99
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk, Book Vol. 4 Page 90

Head Letter to Rev A. Dand of 3 rd Auditor 29. Recd 1843
Paid at the Treasury under the Acts of the 6 th April 1838, from 4 Sep 1834 to 4 May 1835 Agts notified 11. April 1844

State of New York Tompkins County ss - On this first day of November 1832 personally appeared before me Nicoll Halsey one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Tompkins at his dwelling House Nathaniel Doolittle a resident of the Town of Hector in the County of Tompkins and State of New York Aged eighty six years - Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as here in stated -
That he entered the service in the Year 1775 in the New York State Militia he then living in Spencerville in the State of New York in what was then called Kings District, that he was ordered out under Col. Whiting thinks John Whiting Captain John Salaberry Lieut. John Munn went to Fort George to assist in moving the provisions and stores and from thence to Fort Edward and from thence to Saratoga - his Lieut. Munn was shot by an Indian through the Body near Fort Edward was about a Mile from him when he was shot but saw him soon after he was wounded and in soon died - the expedition was Commanded by Gen. Schuyler part of the time - In the Year 1776 according to his best recollection is not very certain as to the Year he was again called out under the same Col. Whiting and Captain John Davis went to Johnstown was stationed there four or five Months from thence returned home and was discharged or dismissed - there was no peculiar or particular circumstances attending this expedition except the followings he recollects being on guard one day guarding the Bakery and was relieved and soon after he was relieved the Enemy or some of them came up and shot down one of the guard and he was brought in dead - thinks he was about five Months in each expedition - was out about one Month at another time

after the forementioned expeditions but cannot recollect the particulars about it - that he was born in Middletown in Connecticut in the year 1745 - has a record of his age in his Indenture of Apprenticeship having taken them up after having served his time out - lived in Spencertown in what was then called Kings District, when he was called to the Service - After the Revolution he moved to Charlestown in Montgomery County from thence to Clinton Cayuga County after wards called Seneca - from thence to Hector where he has lived for the last sixteen years and now lives in Hector - Was called into service as stated in this Declaration does not know whether it was by draft or requisition of a certain part of the Militia thinks the Militia they were called and a part had to go but does not recollect in which way he went out - does not recollect of receiving any written Discharge - if he did it is lost
Is well acquainted with Elder James Moore Col. Aranthus Everts - Deacon Wm. Kimble Peter Snyder Elder James Reynolds who live in his Neighborhood - And that he is unable from bodily infirmity to attend Court -
Sworn and subscribed this 1st day of November 1832 before me
Nicoll Halsey A Judge of Tompkins County -
Matthew Doolittle

Nathan & Roo little
28086
e.
8 mo pri
$26:66 per ann
Harriet Halsey

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
6 Dec 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Nathl Doolittle
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     75 no time Col H Bap! Whiting 86   76 { 4 1/2 } Sec! Whiting Capt slaves Spencertown N.Y.   but about 1 afterwards  
53.33 13.33 66.66
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Over

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
Jan'y 3 d , 1844.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The child of Nathaniel Boolittle, dec d , a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y., Agency, at the rate of Twenty Six Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1834, to the 4 th May 1835.
Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Revolution
23/98. INVALID.
— Our —
File No. 23/98
Nathaniel Doolittle
Rev Rev War
— • —
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 110
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of New York Tompkins County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace of the Town of Hector in the County of Tompkins aforesaid Nathaniel Doolittle who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of Old age and the consequent loss of Memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his Service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following Grades for the year 1775 I served four Months certain & believe more as a private and for the year 1776 I served Four Months or more as a private as will more fully appear in the annexed affidavit for such Service I claim a pension
Nathaniel Doolittle
Subscribed & sworn January 6 th 1834 before me
David Tumble Justice of the Peace

State of New-York Tompkins County } ss
I Samuel Love Clerk of Said County, do hereby certify that David Skimble Esqr. before whom the within affidavit has been taken been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for Said County duly qualified - and that his signature within written is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal at Ithaca the 11 th day of January in the year 1834.
Sam l . Love Clerk

Nathaniel Doolittle
[Faint, mirrored cursive handwriting, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

I James Moore a Clergyman in the Christian Church residing in the Town of Hector in the County of Tompkins and State of New York and hereby Certify that I am well acquainted Nathaniel Doolittle who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and that I believe him to be eighty six Years of age - That he is reputed and has lived in the neighborhood where he previously to have been a soldier of the Revolution And that I concur in that Opinion and further that the said Nath l Doolittle is a Man of good reputation — Sworn and subscribed this 1 st day of November 1832 James Moore before me — Nicol Halsey a Judge of Tompkins County —
I Sarah Bishop residing in the Town of Hector in the County of Tompkins and State of New York hereby Certify that I have been well acquainted with Nathaniel Doolittle who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and have been well acquainted with him for thirty Years last past — And that I believe him to be eighty six Years of age — That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides and has been so reputed since my acquaintance with him to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion — Sworn & subscribed this 1 st day of November 1832 Sarah Bishop before me — Nicol Halsey a Judge of Tompkins County —

State of New York
Tompkins County ss.
William Gimble of the Town of Hector in the County of Tompkins being duly sworn deposes and saith that he has been well acquainted with Nathaniel Woolittle who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Depo- for fifteen years last past relation that the said Nathaniel has lived in the Town of Hector during said time that he has been a Member of the Baptist Church in said Town of which this deponent is a Member and a Deacon for fourteen years last past and is now a Member in good Standing in said Church and that this deponent believes him to be an upright man and his statements so far as his recollection serves him entitled to full credit.
William Gimble
sworn and subscribed this 1st day of November 1832 before me Nicol Halsey a judge of Tompkins County.

State of New York Tompkins County ss)
Alexander Owen being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he resides in the Town of Hector in the County of Tomp- kins and State of New York, that he has been acquainted with Nathaniel Doolittle in said Town for sixteen or seventeen years last past that he has lived very near him during said time and that he this deponent has read the annexed Declaration of the said Nath- aniel in relation to his Revolutionary services. That he recollects hearing the said Nathaniel Doolittle relate the same Circumstances and give the same History of his services about the time of his first acquaintance with him & frequently since that time
Sworn & subscribed this 7th day of Oct 1833
Alexander Owen
before me - Nicol Halsey a Judge of Tompkins County Courts

Nicoll Halsey, the Judge within named and before whom the Declaration of Nathaniel Doolittle the Applicant for a pension within named and before whom the certificates of the revd James Moore & Sarah Bishop and the Affidavits of William Trimble & Alexander Owen - do after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department to the said Applicant in my Opinion that the said Nathaniel Doolittle was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states in his said Declaration - and I further certify that I have been acquainted with William Trimble whose affidavit is herunto annexed for twenty years last past and that he is in my opinion entitled to full credit and belief with the other persons who certify and make Affidavit (to wit) James Moore, Sarah Bishop and Alexander Owen I have no personal acquaintance but from what I learn about them on enquiry believe them to be entitled to full credit and belief - And I do further certify that in my opinion the said Nathaniel Doolittle is unable from Bodily Infirmary to attend Court for the purpose of making his Declaration -
Nicoll Halsey
State of New York Tompkins County } Clerk's office } Halsey Esqr.
I Samuel Love clerk of said County do certify that the foregoing
and annexed instruments in writing purport to have been executed as at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of common pleas in and for said County - which being a Court of record of said County. And that his signatures and annexed written are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at Haver October 21. 1833. Samuel Love clk